Wisconsin fishing season opens with wintry mix and without governor

The 2013 Wisconsin fishing season dawned Saturday with temperatures below freezing and with most waters in the northern part of the state covered with ice.

On Lake Namakagon near Cable, site of the Governor's Fishing Opener, the main lake had about 8 inches of snow and slush on top of 18 inches of ice.

The conditions were more suitable for cross-country skiing than fishing. No boat landing was open on Lake Namakagon. With over 18 inches of snow in the last week, the area looked like mid-winter rather than early May.

Anglers took several approaches to the challenge of the late spring. Most fished from shore in open water near the Namakagon Dam. A couple used small boats to ply the open water. And a few ignored the advice of Department of Natural Resources conservation wardens and fished on the ice.

The determined - or foolhardy - ice fishermen included some highly-placed DNR managers and one newspaper reporter. No citations were issued and everyone returned safely from the adventure.

Several fish were landed by noon Saturday, but the action was generally slow.

Gov. Scott Walker did not attend this year's opener. A state spokesman said the aircraft Walker was flying in could not land at the Cable airport on Friday.

The Lakewoods Resort on Lake Namakagon hosted the event. Over 100 people attended. The annual Governor's Fishing Opener is organized by Wisconsin Indianhead tourism bureau.

The photos below show some of the conditions at the resort and on Lake Namakagon and the Namakagon River on Friday and Saturday.

We'll have a story and more photos in the Sunday paper and on JSONLINE.com.